underworld

noun

un·der·world | \ ˈən-dər-ˌwərld

Definition of underworld

1 : the place of departed souls : hades

2 archaic : earth

3 : the side of the earth opposite to one : antipodes

4 : a social sphere below the level of ordinary life the town's seedy underworld especially : the world of organized crime

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Examples of underworld in a Sentence

a magazine article taking an insightful look at the underworld inhabited by street people

Recent Examples on the Web

Hotel staff and characters from the movie were even present, interacting with guests and dispensing souvenir gold coins used in the films as currency for services in the criminal underworld. — Keaton Bell, Vogue, "Inside the World Premiere of John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum," 13 May 2019 How did Sater know how to navigate the criminal underworld? — Alex Ward, Vox, "Felix Sater, the spy, criminal, and mafia-linked business executive tied to Trump, explained," 6 Dec. 2018 Orpheus visits her in the underworld and, with his music, melts the heart of even Hades, who allows him to leave with Eurydice on one condition. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, "Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell’s Musical Where Work Is Hell, Makes It to the Big Time," 19 Apr. 2019 But Persephone soon descends into an underworld that is emblematic of what’s new in the Broadway production. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, "Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell’s Musical Where Work Is Hell, Makes It to the Big Time," 19 Apr. 2019 Marijuana is coming out of this criminal underworld and onto the fashion scene. — Jessica Matlin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The New High Society," 18 Apr. 2019 Even Deadpool’s early rampage through the underworld left me cold, despite the Dolly Parton. — Peter Rubin, WIRED, "We Need to Talk About That Deadpool 2 Credits Scene," 21 May 2018 Jack realizes her mistake and begins to investigate the true nature of the drug, while Paladin and Eliasz work their way through the criminal underworld, all the while navigating a complicated relationship of their own. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "The 13 best sci-fi books to check out on your new Kindle," 29 Dec. 2018 The trial of the octogenarian Mafia don is a reminder of how much Boston and its criminal underworld have changed. — Shelley Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Mafia murder trial occurring now in Boston highlights how much city’s underworld has changed," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underworld.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.